Designation: X-15A-2

North American X-15

North American X-15A-2 Mockup

A picture of the North American X-15A-2 Mockup

The X-15 is one of the most successful aircraft of the X-Plane series of experimental aircraft.  Designed in the late 1950s to explore high altitudes and high speeds the X-15 flew 199 times and set both altitude and speed records.  Eventually the X-15 flew high enough to earn its pilots Astronaut wings.  It also set the world’s absolute speed record by flying over six times the speed of sound.

Service History

North American Aviation built the mockup on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in 1956.  It was used as a construction guide for the building of the three X-15s that flew at Edwards Air Force Base.  It has been modified to represent the X-15A-2 which added two external fuel tanks to increase the burn time of the aircraft’s rocket engine.

Wingspan 22 ft 4 in.

Wingspan

Length 50 ft

Length

Height 13 ft

Height

Weight 56,130 lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 4,520 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 354,200 ft

Service Ceiling

Range 275 miles

Range

Engines One Thiokol XLR99-RM-2 rocket engine with 57,850 pounds of thrust

Engine

Crew 1

Crew


Manufacturer
North American

Markings
U.S. Air Force/NASA, Edwards Air Force Base, 1968

Designation
X-15A-2

Serial Number
“56-6671”

Pima Air & Space Museum

Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.

Charity EIN: 86-6031135

Copyright ©
Website by CS Design Studios

Contact Info

520-574-0462

6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

Operating Hours:
Open 9 AM – 5 PM Daily
Last Admittance at 3:00 PM